The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe cover image

The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

367: Michael Easter—Scarcity Brain

Jan 23, 2024
Michael Easter, journalist and NYT bestselling author, discusses why our brains are hardwired for overconsumption and how this scarcity mindset leads to unnecessary risks. He shares insights from his book 'Scarcity Brain', including the impact of excess in modern society and the psychology of addictive behaviors. The chapter on waiting in line for a picture explores motivations behind this behavior, and the power of leverage is discussed in breaking destructive habits.
01:02:56

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Recognizing our ingrained patterns and understanding why we engage in certain behaviors is crucial in overcoming the scarcity brain and rewiring our habits for thriving with enough.
  • Being mindful of our choices and understanding the scarcity loop, characterized by opportunity, unpredictable rewards, and quick repeatability, can help us break free from addictive behaviors and choose behaviors that truly benefit us in the long run.

Deep dives

Understanding the Scarcity Brain

The podcast episode explores the concept of the scarcity brain and how it influences our behavior. The speaker discusses the book 'Scarcity Brain' by Michael Easter, which delves into the psychology behind our cravings and habits. It explains how our brains are still wired for scarcity despite living in a time of abundance. The episode highlights the importance of recognizing our ingrained patterns and understanding why we engage in certain behaviors.

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